Chick-fil-A preparing to seek GC for Sanford project

Chick-fil-A will have more than 30 eateries in the Orlando area when its new one in Sanford is done. (Chick-fil-A)

Chick-fil-A will soon seek a general contractor for its new fast food restaurant going up in Sanford on S.R. 46, and the company is planning more Central Florida expansion.

Chick-fil-A has already been going great guns in the area, having built 30 in Greater Orlando.

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As is the case with everything fast food, things are going to happen quickly. Permits are in the process of being prepared for such things as stoves, electricity, tiling, seating and signage. The restaurant, on 1.5 acres, will replace one of eight Bojangles that closed in Central Florida in December.

The person to connect with is Perry Ragsdale, Chick-fil-A's executive vice president of real estate, design and construction. Recently promoted from senior vice president to executive vice president, two of Ragsdale's primary interests are more efficient use of space and a strong emphasis on appearance.

He joined the company in 1970 as an architectural draftsman.

Ragsdale's direct oversight includes the company's construction division, which vets project contractors, the most favored of which become preferred construction contractors that get first dibs on jobs.

The company is always open to working with new contractors, said a company spokesman. Firms interested can call 404-765-8038 to learn more.

The building opportunities are huge, with the pace right now being 85 restaurants constructed a year. The company already operates 1,900 restaurants in 42 states.

Chick-fil-A pays for the land, the construction and the equipment.

But it is an onerous and to some uncomfortable process to meet Chick-fil-A's self-described corporate mission to "glorify God."

Stores are closed on Sunday. Many Chick-fil-A job candidates must endure a yearlong vetting process that includes dozens of interviews, Forbes previously reported.

Locally, in a sign of the company's plans for the area, snagajob.com is noting Chick-fil-A is looking for a full-time construction manager and a part-time one to work out of Winter Haven.

The Chick-fil-A on S.R. 46 will be almost 5,000 square feet. The Bojangles was about 1,000 square feet smaller. Chick-fil-A is also providing more parking area, 41,149 square feet to Bojangles' 35,235 square feet.

The restaurant's franchisees , Hill Gray Seven LLC, are based in Oviedo and include Andrew and Cameron Hill of Oviedo and Raymond and Marsha Hill of Ocean Ridge, incorporation papers show. The Hills could not be reached for comment on Friday.

The group paid $1.2 million for the parcel to SunTrust Bank, property records show.